Heritage Ministries’ Rehab & Skilled Nursing facilities recently celebrated National Nursing Homes Week, May 13^th- 19^th.  This annual week of celebration focuses attention on the residents, family members, staff and volunteers that make a positive impact in each other’s lives on a daily basis.

Each of the Heritage Ministries skilled nursing facilities, Heritage Park (Jamestown), Heritage Green (Greenhurst), Heritage Village (Gerry), planned special events and activities throughout the week.  This year’s theme was “Celebrating the Journey” to honor all of the individuals whose lives are connected in providing continual growth, learning and teaching in nursing homes around the nation.

Heritage Park Rehab & Skilled Nursing

Heritage Park kicked off their week’s festivities with a sundae building contest, the facilities nursing staff was also honored at this event for Nurse’s Day.  The contest proved to be both tasty and sticky as teams of a blind folded staff member worked under the direction of a resident to build a presentable sundae.

The week also made way for the annual Revival Service, with musical entertainment and a special message given by Heritage Ministries Chaplains Rev. Sam Shreffler and Rev. Gerald Haglund.  Residents, family members and staff enjoyed an afternoon of hymns, prayer and good fellowship.

Heritage Green Rehab & Skilled Nursing

Heritage Green celebrated the start of the week with musical guest Tim Stockman, who entertained attendees with a lively mixture of good old tunes to sing along with.

Employees from different departments took time during the week to host a special activity with groups of residents.  Administrator Monica Choperena lead a group in travel discussion, Human Resource Director Cheryl Farr organized a card making activity and the Social Work Department ended the week with a Tea and Crumpets gathering.

Heritage Village Rehab & Skilled Nursing

Heritage Village rolled out National Nursing Home Week with a few favorite annual activities.  The whole facility was engaged throughout the week with all of the departments helping to deliver special activities to the residents.  Even the maintenance department took a break to host a “Milkshakes with Maintenance” activity towards the end of the week.

Various staff members put their best foot forward as they showed off their favorite talent in an afternoon talent show.  This year’s winners were 1^st place Grace King who recited a poem “Tommy’s Prayer” almost entirely from memory, 2^nd place Anyssa Brainard who played the piano and 3^rd place Dick Gould who played guitar and sang.

Another annual activity during this week was to name and honor the facilities resident of the year who was nominated by employees, residents and family members.  This year’s recipient was Barb Smedley.  Ms. Smedley’s nominations noted, “Barb is always good natured and nice to everyone. She cares for the residents on the unit and always makes sure she voices their needs when they cannot”.

While each of the Heritage Ministries facilities celebrated National Nursing Home Week in different ways the underlying theme remained the same, to recognize the residents, family members, staff and volunteers that positively impact each other’s lives on a daily basis.